SelectUSA Investment Intern – Washington, DC (U.S. Department of Commerce) - Winter/Spring 2026

Unpaid SelectUSA Internship — Washington, D.C. (U.S. Department of Commerce)

SelectUSA, a program within the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA), is recruiting unpaid interns for three distinct internship opportunities in Washington, D.C., for the Spring 2027 term:

1. Investment Services (IST) Internship
2. Programs and Events Internship
3. Communications and Outreach Internship

SelectUSA promotes and facilitates business investment into the United States, helping strengthen the American economy and support U.S. jobs. These internships offer students hands-on experience in international investment, economic development, event management, strategic communications, and U.S. investment policy.

Applicants should indicate their preferred internship team in their cover letter. Applicants may also express interest in more than one team.

Internship Opportunities and Responsibilities

1. Investment Services (IST) Internship

Support SelectUSA's efforts to attract and facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) into the United States.

Responsibilities may include:

• Researching and analyzing investment trends, economic data, and industry developments.
• Supporting investment inquiries and assisting U.S. and international companies exploring investment opportunities in the United States.
• Preparing research reports, briefing documents, presentations, and talking points for U.S. government officials.
• Supporting SelectUSA portfolio managers, research analysts, and overseas offices.
• Participating in meetings with economic development organizations (EDOs), companies, trade associations, foreign governments, and other U.S. government agencies.
• Assisting with investment promotion initiatives and strategic projects.

Ideal candidates: Students interested in international business, economics, international relations, public policy, trade, and foreign direct investment. Strong research, analytical, and writing skills are preferred.

2. Programs and Events Internship

Support the planning, coordination, and execution of SelectUSA programs, initiatives, and events, including the SelectUSA Investment Summit and international investment roadshows.

Responsibilities may include:

• Assisting with event planning, logistics, and coordination.
• Supporting the development and execution of programs, conferences, webinars, and other events.
• Coordinating meetings and communications with speakers, participants, EDOs, companies, and other stakeholders.
• Preparing event materials, briefing documents, presentations, and program content.
• Supporting event registration, outreach, and participant coordination.
• Assisting with administrative tasks, project management, and on-site event operations.

Ideal candidates: Students interested in event management, international business, project coordination, and program development. Strong organizational, communication, and multitasking skills are preferred.

3. Communications and Outreach Internship

Support SelectUSA's strategic communications, marketing, and stakeholder outreach efforts to promote U.S. investment opportunities and SelectUSA programs.

Responsibilities may include:

• Drafting, editing, and reviewing communications materials, including social media content, newsletters, and email campaigns.
• Supporting SelectUSA's social media and digital communications strategy.
• Researching potential partners, stakeholders, and outreach opportunities.
• Developing presentations, promotional materials, and visual content.
• Supporting communications campaigns and initiatives related to SelectUSA programs and events.
• Assisting with website content, media materials, and other strategic outreach projects.

SelectUSA Investment Summit Availability: Applicants interested in the Communications and Outreach Internship should note that this team strongly prefers candidates who can remain available through the 2027 SelectUSA Investment Summit, taking place May 2–5, 2027. The Communications and Outreach team's workload increases significantly in the weeks leading up to the Summit, and additional intern support is particularly important during the Summit itself. Candidates who can commit to working through May 5, 2027, are strongly preferred.

Ideal candidates: Students interested in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, digital media, and international affairs. Strong writing, editing, and creative communication skills are preferred.

General Qualifications and Requirements

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university (undergraduate or graduate).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, professional environment.
• Strong organizational, research, and time-management skills.
• Reliable access to a laptop and internet.
• Selected candidates must meet applicable U.S. Department of Commerce security requirements, including a background check.

Availability and Weekly Hours — Please Read Carefully

Due to the fast-paced nature of SelectUSA's work and the demands of our ongoing programs and initiatives, we are seeking candidates who can commit to a minimum of 35 hours per week during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET.

SelectUSA recruits interns from multiple colleges and universities, each with different academic calendars, semester schedules, and quarter systems. Therefore, internship dates may vary depending on individual school schedules.

Applicants MUST clearly indicate the following in their cover letter:

• Exact start and end dates of their availability.
• Specific days of the week they are available.
• Daily hours they can work (between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET).
• Total number of hours they can commit per week.

For example: "I am available January 11–May 7, 2027, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET, for a total of 35 hours per week."

Please provide your actual availability rather than simply stating that you are available for the Spring semester.

Internship Details

Location: U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

Compensation: Unpaid

Tentative Internship Term: January–May 2027 (dates may vary depending on academic calendars and individual availability).

Application Deadline: November 15, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. ET.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early submissions are encouraged.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit one combined document in PDF (preferred) or Word format containing:

1. Cover letter (indicating your preferred internship team: Investment Services, Programs and Events, and/or Communications and Outreach).
2. Resume.
3. Unofficial academic transcript.
4. Writing sample.

Your cover letter should address:

• Why you are interested in interning with SelectUSA.
• Which internship team(s) you are interested in and why.
• How your skills and experience would contribute to SelectUSA's mission.
• Your exact availability, including start and end dates, days, daily hours, and total weekly hours.

Submit your application through Handshake by November 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Additional Information

Students interested in receiving academic credit should consult their school's career center or academic advisor regarding internship requirements. Students may also wish to explore university funding, financial aid, or other support available for unpaid public service internships. SelectUSA is open to accommodating students seeking academic credit when the internship meets their school's requirements.

For additional information about the three internship opportunities and other SelectUSA internship tracks, please visit:

https://www.trade.gov/selectusa-internships

Thank you for your interest in joining SelectUSA!